Estimates for the two most recent quarters of the HPI series are preliminary and subject to revision (see paragraphs 15 to 19 of the Explanatory Notes).

The series for the median price of established house transfers (unstratified) and the number of established house transfers (published in Tables 7 and 8 respectively) are also subject to revision as the ABS receives more data from the Valuers-General. A change to data provision and a review of ABS processes in the September quarter 2011 have led to larger than usual revisions to these series.

IMPACT OF FLOODS

Collection of house price data was not impacted by the floods in Brisbane in January 2011. Based on Valuers-General data, the number of transactions of established houses in Brisbane decreased in the March quarter 2011. However, it is not possible to isolate the effect of flooding in parts of the Brisbane Statistical Division from an overall decrease in market activity. In this issue (September quarter 2011), the final house price index result and the unstratified median house price for Brisbane for the March quarter 2011 are available.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Mark Dubner on Sydney (02) 9268 4448.